England completed a 3-0 T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka with another emphatic eight-wicket victory at Old Trafford yesterday, but it was the manner of the defeat that will concern the visitors most.
Sri Lanka had enough of a platform to post a competitive total. Instead, they turned a reasonable position into another batting collapse, allowing England to chase down 126in only 9.4 overs and underline the gulf between the two teams.
The hosts did not need to produce anything extraordinary with the ball. They simply kept asking questions and waited for Sri Lanka to make mistakes.
Sri Lanka reached 74 for three after 10 overs and were 100 for four early in the 14th, with enough time and wickets in hand to push well beyond 150. Yet the innings disintegrated at precisely the stage when acceleration was needed.
Six wickets fell for just 17 runs.
The collapse again raised questions about Sri Lanka’s approach to T20 batting. There was little evidence of a clear plan when England tightened the field and changed their bowling combinations. Instead of finding gaps and keeping the scoreboard moving, Sri Lanka repeatedly allowed dot balls to build pressure before attempting high-risk shots.
They eventually faced 57 dot balls in an innings lasting only 18.5 overs.
Pathum Nissanka gave the innings some early momentum with 36 from 24 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes. He appeared set for a substantial contribution before England captain Harry Brook pulled off an excellent diving catch at mid-wicket.
Kamil Mishara made only two, while Lahiru Udara’s 10 came from seven balls. Charith Asalanka contributed 16, but Sri Lanka’s middle order could not turn the start into substance.
Kamindu Mendis was the exception. He played with considerably more freedom than most of his team-mates and made 35 from 28 balls, including three fours and two sixes. His dismissal to Jofra Archer effectively ended Sri Lanka’s hopes of recovering.
The lower order then offered almost nothing. Tharindu Ratnayake managed three from eight balls, while Eshan Malinga and Dilshan Madushanka were both dismissed without scoring.
England’s bowling was disciplined without being spectacular. Jamie Overton stood out with 1 for 15 from four overs, while Sonny Baker and Jofra Archer claimed two wickets each. Will Jacks also took two.
The chase was a different story altogether.
Jos Buttler and Brook attacked immediately, exposing the lack of control in Sri Lanka’s bowling. Loose deliveries, including wides and no-balls, only made England’s task easier.
Brook struck 34 before being run out with England just 18 runs from victory. Buttler, however, remained unbeaten on 62 to finish the job in ruthless fashion.
For Sri Lanka, the series has exposed a problem that cannot simply be blamed on conditions or individual failures. England repeatedly applied pressure and Sri Lanka repeatedly failed to respond.
The 3-0 scoreline is emphatic. More troubling for Sri Lanka is that the defeats have exposed the same weaknesses again and again.
CHIEF SCORES
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka 124 all out (18.5)
Nissanka 36, Mendis 35
Baker 2/17, Archer 2/23, Jacks 2/31
🏴 England 125/2 (9.4)
Buttler 62*, Brook 34
Sri Lanka lose by 8 wickets
